The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread

[MTK]

Ok we all know that Jason Campbell is at the top of this list, so let's just cross him off and move on. Who else needs to step up this year to help get the team back to the playoffs? I'm going to start by identifying 3 players that I think are critical to this year's success.

1. Santana Moss - When healthy and focused he's a gamebreaker. He needs to get on track early on and establish a good rapport with Jason Campbell. If he can recapture some of that 2005 magic the offense is in for a big year.

2. LaRon Landry - We started to see some glimpses of what he's capable of at the end of last season. When he took over FS for Sean Taylor he almost seemed like a clone of ST... flying around, making the big hits, and coming up with 2 big INTs in the playoffs against Seattle. He needs to take over where Sean Taylor left off for this defense. Big shoes to fill indeed, but I think he's capable of being a game changer at safety.

3. Clinton Portis - WhilePortis certainly did not have a bad year in 2007, he has plenty of room for improvement. Now in an offense that will use more of the zone blocking schemes that he likes, we need to see a more explosive Clinton Portis and less of the 3 yards and a cloud of dust we saw last year. Heading into this season in better shape should help him get off to a better start.

[DarkKnight]

The Offensive Line.............Period!!!!!!!!!! lets move on

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by DarkKnight

The Offensive Line.............Period!!!!!!!!!! lets move on

Took the words right out of my mouth.... ditto.

[SmootSmack]

Shaun Suisham: He needs to be a consistent, reliable force both on field goals and kick-offs

Kedrick Golston: He seemed to regress a bit last year, but with Daniels out, Griffin aging, and Montgomery battling a borken hand now, Golston is going to have to step up.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Shaun Suisham: He needs to be a consistent, reliable force both on field goals and kick-offs

Kedrick Golston: He seemed to regress a bit last year, but with Daniels out, Griffin aging, and Montgomery battling a borken hand now, Golston is going to have to step up.

Speaking of Golston I just read that Blache says that he is seriously competing with Montgomery for the starting DT job. Personally I think Blache is just doing that to keep that fire lit under Monty's ass, but the article also says that Golston has slimmed down to 298, down from 320 last year. Perhaps the extra weight hurt his play last year.

Battle Brewing at Defensive Tackle

[Ade Jimoh Fan Club]

1. Jason "Oops that one got away from me" Campbell - has got the be #1 on this list by a mile.
2. Jon "my body hurts" Jansen - needs to get back to where he was 3-4 years ago.
3. Rocky "Road" McIntosh - injuries aside, we gave up a lot to get him and he needs to have a coming out party.
4. Carlos "2 seconds 2 late" Rogers - showed potential last year before getting hurt; once healthy, this is the year that he needs to prove that he's our true #1 corner.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Ade Jimoh Fan Club

.
4. Carlos "2 seconds 2 late" Rogers - showed potential last year before getting hurt; once healthy, this is the year that he needs to prove that he's our true #1 corner.

... he could also try removing the led from his shoes...

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Good post and good thread. I like your list, but I'll add a few more guys.

#1. Rogers. Carlos Rogers struggled in 2005 and 2006, but started to really develop in 2007. I realize that he's coming off a major injury, but he needs to show us by the middle of the season that he was worthy of being selected 9th overall in the 2005 draft.

#2. Anthony Montgomery. Montgomery was just a 5th round draft pick, so it's hard to complain about his production. However, with so many people talking about his amazing abilities, it's about time that his ability starts translating into solid production. He looked decent enough in 2007, but he didn't look like the potential Pro Bowler than people think he can be.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Good post and good thread. I like your list, but I'll add a few more guys.

#1. Rogers. Carlos Rogers struggled in 2005 and 2006, but started to really develop in 2007. I realize that he's coming off a major injury, but he needs to show us by the middle of the season that he was worthy of being selected 9th overall in the 2005 draft.

#2. Anthony Montgomery. Montgomery was just a 5th round draft pick, so it's hard to complain about his production. However, with so many people talking about his amazing abilities, it's about time that his ability starts translating into solid production. He looked decent enough in 2007, but he didn't look like the potential Pro Bowler than people think he can be.

Just about agree w/this 100%. can't think of 2 guys that haven't reached their potential like those 2.

I disagree w/Matty's top 3 in the sense that I expect those guys to play well again. Sure, Santana had some bad games (GB) but he came on once healthy last year & made big plays.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Just about agree w/this 100%. can't think of 2 guys that haven't reached their potential like those 2.

I disagree w/Matty's top 3 in the sense that I expect those guys to play well again. Sure, Santana had some bad games (GB) but he came on once healthy last year & made big plays.

Moss hasn't put together a quality season since 2005 now.

Landry is a 2nd year guy, he needs to continue to improve.

Portis is a gamer don't get me wrong, but he's got room to take things to another level.

[wilsowilso]

Portis, Jansen and Thomas. If those three have strong seasons then the QB will have a great shot at making the next leap forward.

[rbanerjee23]

I think Andre Carter should be on this list. He had a great year last year (dont know how he didn't make the probowl) but with the greatly improved d line (addition of J Taylor) putting less pressure on him, he needs to show that he can be a terror game in and game out to opposing quarterbacks.

[Soup's Uncle]

Santana and Randle El big time. Santana will produce if he stays healthy. We need more than 1 touchdown from our number 2 reciever.

Our corners.

Pretty much everyone! Jason Campbell, Portis, the D Line, the O Line.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Soup's Uncle

Santana and Randle El big time. Santana will produce if he stays healthy. We need more than 1 touchdown from our number 2 reciever.

Our corners.

Pretty much everyone! Jason Campbell, Portis, the D Line, the O Line.

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.

I see it that way too. ARL is not blessed w/ the talent Moss has but shares the same small stature, so I never thought ARL would be a huge force. Still, w/ big threats out there I think he can be a surprise guy, picking up yards when defenses are focusing on Moss, Thomas, and/or Kelly.